Soekarno-Hatta Train Takes Off in July
11 July 2014 18:32 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is targeting the Soekarno-Hatta Airport commuter rail to start operating in July 2015. Railways Director General Herman Dwiatmoko is certain the target will be met as they only need to finish the construction of one more double-track rail spanning 12 kilometers from Batuceper Station to Soekarno-Hatta.
"The project will be undertaken by PT Kereta Api," he said after signing the cooperation agreement at his office, yesterday.
PT Kereta Api will get a 30-year concession as an operator. The train is expected to transport 10 million passengers per year, with 128 commuter trains operating daily at the Manggarai-Soekarno-Hatta route.
The project is expected to cost Rp 2.5 trillion. Later, Herman said, the passengers will have to pay a fare to get from Manggarai station to Soekarno-Hatta airport and vice versa. Thus, the government will not be providing subsidies for these transport modes.
Herman was unwilling to mention just how much will it cost for the passengers to get on board the train, saying they the figure is still being calculated.
KHAIRUL ANAM
